Question:
i'm curious...
how easy would it be to build a tube amp? i took a look at my kalamazoo's schematics, and it doesn't look overly complex. sometimes it feals like i build bigger circuits in my digital electronics class in HS.
so... does anyone know anything on this subject? where i would be able to find resources to learn? like i said, i'm just curious... and i know it is more complicated that it probably first appears. the idea fascinates me though. building my own tube amp...
(btw, i've got some experiance with soldering irons and building low power circuits. i can read schematics and i understand basic electric components - resistors, caps, pots, leds, and digital stuff (logic gates, getting into 7 segment LEDs, but that stuff wouldn't apply here))
Thanks,
Tom
Answer:
Tube amps employ very basic circuitry. With the right parts, you could definitely build one. The trick is to build one that will stand up to being shaken around constantly by a loudspeaker, heated up and cooled down, and still sound good.
Nate
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I came across this side a while back. It looked interesting, but I didn't pursue it at the time. Perhaps it can help you in your quest.
http://www.ax84.com/
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thats a pretty nice site... i was looking through some websites earlier, but i couldn't find much that was useful... this one has quite a few nice designs and information. thanks!
Originally Posted by nate95366 Tube amps employ very basic circuitry. With the right parts, you could definitely build one. The trick is to build one that will stand up to being shaken around constantly by a loudspeaker, heated up and cooled down, and still sound good.
Nate
yeah... i looked at the cost of parts for a small one... $150-200... pretty pricy, although i'm sure some things could be bought cheaper. if the work is done right, the vibrations from the speaker and temp changes shouldn't be a problem.
does anyone know of a good ciruitboard to be able to solder components onto? something like this.
also - any ideas on a good cheap multimeter? i need to get one of my own - any suggestions here? (i checked on eBay, but most looked like crap...) digital or analog - i don't care... just something that works decently.
and any more amp suggestions are welcome too! i don't intend on doing this any time soon (maybe a summer project?), but i'm just looking ahead...
Answer:
Originally Posted by tht00
does anyone know of a good ciruitboard to be able to solder components onto? something like this.
I build circuit boards like that all the time. Send me a layout and or schematic, I will let you know what it will take to build one for you.
Berry
Answer:
good multimeters aren't cheap. my dad (who's an electrical technician) along with other electrical techs i've talked to all have recommended FLUKE multimeters...you can get them on ebay (i believe it's the model 77) for $50-70 i think
Answer:
Originally Posted by dickson amps I build circuit boards like that all the time. Send me a layout and or schematic, I will let you know what it will take to build one for you.
Berry
i'm just interested in the board its mounted on - what it is called and where i could order one from. something to mount and solder components on, as well as making connections.
Originally Posted by thesteve good multimeters aren't cheap. my dad (who's an electrical technician) along with other electrical techs i've talked to all have recommended FLUKE multimeters...you can get them on ebay (i believe it's the model 77) for $50-70 i think
alright, i'll be sure to look into them. i don't have anything right now, so i'm wanting something that will at least get me by until i can get something good... although if i can get a good one now, it would last me quite a while... hmm...
Answer:
Originally Posted by tht00 i'm just interested in the board its mounted on - what it is called and where i could order one from. something to mount and solder components on, as well as making connections.
What you are looking for is called a 'bare' board. It has all of the lugs/terminals, but no components. This is what I was refering to. The board is designed to best accomodate the circuit you are building. You may be able to search around online and find a bare board for the circuit you want, but you may have to have one made. If you wanted me to, I could build you the bare board, then you will have to buy and mount the components yourself.
Berry
Answer:
Originally Posted by dickson amps What you are looking for is called a 'bare' board. It has all of the lugs/terminals, but no components. This is what I was refering to. The board is designed to best accomodate the circuit you are building. You may be able to search around online and find a bare board for the circuit you want, but you may have to have one made. If you wanted me to, I could build you the bare board, then you will have to buy and mount the components yourself.
Berry
i looked into the 'bare boards' and they are printed circuit boards (PCB), right? i'm looking more at a point to point wiring approach. one of the methods i saw involved a 'tag board', which the components and wires were soldered on, and then wired to the actual components.
i have an old kalamazoo that was done 'point to point'. no circuit board... just components wired to components with more components wired inbetween... a bit messy... lol...
so... is there anywhere i can get a simple non PCB? i havn't been able to find a 'tag board' anywhere... something simple that can be soldered to in a 'point to point' fashion...
oh, and i was wondering... would it be possible to have both a 12AX7 and a 12AT7 in a small amp, with a selector switch to switch between them? (12AX7 for extra gain, 12AT7 for extra headroom) i'm thinking it would essentially take 2 different preamp circuits, switches to turn the tubes on and off (so one could be in 'standby' while the other one is in use, or it could simply be turned off), and then a switch or 2 to control the path of the signal to either preamp tube, and then control the output of the preamps to the power stage. would this be effective, or just a waste? i was wondering, as 5 watt amps don't usually have a lot of clean headroom, and i just thought this up as a way to be able to boost its flexablility, being able to have the headroom when it needed it, as well as having the extra gain when you needed (or wanted) it again, just an idea, and would definitly not be implemented on a first amp, whenever that gets built, but i thought i would ask about it before i forgot the idea.
Answer:
Originally Posted by tht00 i looked into the 'bare boards' and they are printed circuit boards (PCB), right? i'm looking more at a point to point wiring approach. one of the methods i saw involved a 'tag board', which the components and wires were soldered on, and then wired to the actual components.
i have an old kalamazoo that was done 'point to point'. no circuit board... just components wired to components with more components wired inbetween... a bit messy... lol...
so... is there anywhere i can get a simple non PCB? i havn't been able to find a 'tag board' anywhere... something simple that can be soldered to in a 'point to point' fashion...
Do a search for "Turret Board Construction," or "tag board construction (or eyelet board)"
You probably won't find a ready made one (except from a few companies making them for specific amps, like a Deluxe or Plexi)...you'll probably have to make your own.
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Answer:
The bare boards that I make are turret boards. The board that LWatford showed is an eyelet board. Either one will work perfect for what you are planning to do. If you get deeper into building, you will come up with tons if ideas to try out. Write them down and work them in as your knowledge of tube ciruitry expands.
Berry
Answer:
alright... thanks - thats starting to make sense. i came across a site that listed some turrets, terminals, and boards (although some of their prices for the boards seem pretty high ($8 for 12"x3"(approx size) board). i also noticed circuit terminals that could be used on the boards. are there pros/cons of these over the turrets, or are they just cheaper and look different?
also, could i order the raw parts though you, Berry, at a cheaper rate? (just curious... again )
oh, and one more question - do you know where i could get a cheap/free schematic builder for the computer? i use circuitmaker at school (not the best, but it is OK). i'll probably do a quick search after i post this, but i was wondering if anyone here knew of one.
thanks again,
Tom